February 2003
I currently own a 95 M Laguna 2.0RXE.
A problem has developed with the remote alarm keyfobs and now they won't de activate the immobiliser or operate the central locking. I have changed batteries in both, but still no joy.
To make things worse, I can enter a 4 digit code to override this, but the switch on the wiper stalk doesn't work. The voice computer system is driving me mad...
Anyone have any suggestions to keep me sane?
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My spy in sunny North Wales (Mr Brunstrom's area) tell me that North Wales Police intend to pilot "on the spot fines" in the true sense of the phrase, targetting foreign drivers who currently break the limits. Apparantly nearly 300 cars caught by Speed Cameras in January were registered aborad. I can attest to being overtaken by Irish registered Artics and cars at crazy speeds when on the A55 recently. Read more
I think you underestimate the ability of Police Forces to act as
a business - Visa and Mastercard will, no doubt be accepted and cash avoided.
If there are any Backroomers in North Wales I would be interested to see how this develops.
I don't think that there are Human Rights issues but I have yet to see any legistlation planned or otherwise but I have no doubt the story is true s it was apparantly printed in the Welsh version of the Liverpool Echo or its equivelent. Or perhaps if Mr Brunstrom pops into the backroom now and again he would care to comment
hi, ive just picked up my bmw from my local main dealers bodyshop which had carried out a major repair and noticed that the labour rate charged to the insurers was £25 /hr this contrasts with a labour rate of over £60/hr i was recently charged for a inspection 2 service at the same premises on asking why i was told this was "normal motor trade pratice"???!! any one out there in the trade care to comment, i assume the dealer pays his body shop guys similar rates to his mechanics so why such a differance? Read more
Blimey I'd better get off and do my 'amateur mechanics' course asap then!
HF
Then you need the Volvo 960 that actor Paul Newman specified with a supercharged V8 under the bonnet! Looks very professional, too, and from the outside at least, pretty standard. Now that IS a Q-car! It's for sale, too.
To read about it, go to www.swedespeed.com/ and then select the link to "Newman's own" Read more
oioioi!
Original ContiEcontact (195/65 R 15 91T) on front worn out (of alignment) after 22k miles - replaced with Michelin (-EXT2) which now need replacement after 38k, which I presume is well done. Also, I am happy with dry/wet grip, etc.
Original Conti rear tyres also need replacing now (after 60k) - so I don't have problem of good ones on front or rear! (should be rear, according to other thread on Techn Matters). -
I do abt 60% milage on motorways, rest on country roads/winding lanes, and very occasionally in snow/ice. Consequently, I plan to revert to my former (Astra) habit of using Michelin Mud and Snow tyres 12 months a year - although these were/are (?) not officially "all-year" tyres.
Has anyone experience with Conti, Michelin or other M&S tyres on a Golf TDI Mk4, please ?
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Thanks feedback.
1. Michelin and Conti websites both list proper winter tyres, only, not so-called "all-year", and I guess they will be somewhat noicier. Particularly when not driving in snow! - and recent experience has shown my present Michelin Energy XT2 to handle slight snow quite nicely (as also claimed by the mfr.).
2. My Golf TDI used to have a slight tendency to pull left - even when driving on the Continent. However, over the last say 10,000 mls this has deteriorated to the extent where a steady, firm handling of the steering wheel at 5-10 degrees to the right is required. Hopefully this will be rectified with alignment after new tyres fitted. - I shall report in due course ...
A mate of mine is considering buying a Cooper S which does not have aircon as standard equipment. I have pointed out that aircon is virtually essential these days. He is reluctant to spend extra as his current car has aircon and he rarely, if ever, uses it.
As aircon is a not inconsiderable £600 extra on the Cooper S he is considering ordering one without, figuring that any mark down come trade in/disposal time will be less than £600 given the model's desirability and the likely high demand.
Any comments/advice from a wider audience on the likely effects of no aircon when it come time to sell?
Cheers Read more
Davie
And let's hope that the next owner of your mate's present car - or your mate if he doesn't change cars! - doesn't suffer the dire consequences of not running the A/C regularly, vide frequently repeated exhortations from HJ on the subject.
On the specific point you raise, I wouldn't even consider buying a car without A/C nowadays with the range of temperatures we exerience in UK, not to mention on any travel in real Europe, and especially in view of the amount of time we seem to spend stationary. I leave mine on permanently - excellent for demisting all year round - *and* try to remember HJ's hints on keeping the system dry and sweet smelling.
I also seem to recall HJ pointing out that the extra fuel used by the A/C is less than that required to compensate for driving with a window open.
With luck, your mate will realise that he is likely to have so much fun with a Cooper S that the money spent on A/C will be more significant to his overall driving enjoyment than the next owner's.
Jack
Any Ideas what the colours are in the audio wiring loom of a rover 416GTi?
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I have just fitted a pair of extra rear-facing seats in the Volvo, with seat belts.
I thought they would be sick, but the children love them and want to ride in them all the time.
Someone told me this is not allowed unless all the normal seats are full. Does anyone know if that is true? Read more
That'e very true, I passed a Vectra that had rear-ended a big old Volvo estate.
The Vectra's bonnet was crunched quite badly, but the bumper on the Bolvo wasn't even bent. :)
Blue
I've searched for a thread on this, but thousands of suggestions have come up, none of the ones I've read are in any way relevant.
Does anyone know if it's possible to get hold of a copy of the driver's manual for my Astra, and if so, from where? - the previous owner didn't have one, and I think it's something I really could do with.
Thanks,
HF Read more
Galaxy & DD,
Thanks, I'll try what you both suggest.
>>(no not the electrical store)
Lucky you mentioned that, you *know* I'd have been on the phone to the local shop, don't you?
HF ;)
From my local "rag"
Small prang erupts into a riot
A riot between rival villages erupted near Hanoi in Vietnam, after
Two bike riders argued over responsibility for a minor crash.
The two men were uninjured, but their argument led to a three- hour clash, involving more than 1000 people, armed with sticks, spears and stones. Around 17 people were injured and 20 houses damaged in the fighting.
Local police are investigating, after it took them an hour to disperse the crowd.
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Funny, no it's a paper for expats. Probably a syndicated article.
Browse
Hi Jimmy
My problem began with the alarm unit under the offiside wiper base. This contains the alarm speaker which began making random electronic tapping noises, even when the ignition was switched off. To stop this I disconnected the power lead. This then caused the whole central locking system to become erratic and then totally fail after a couple of months.
A friends garage then took this unit apart and cleaned it. It now works. What can I say. Check your earth connections etc - it may be prone to water leaks there. The alarm keys did nothing by the way.
My next option was to see if the car had the alarm changed in the recall (see technical breakdown) and force the dealer to pay for it.
Can you manually enter the 4 digit immobilser code on your version? At least then you can start it. Let me know, I'm sure there's a solution to this. Dodger